The first-generation Chrysler 300 was all about the in-your-face bold styling, but this second-gen car is all about substance. This car has a much more refined presence, style and ride. With the car offered in V6 or V8 models, RWD or AWD, there would seem to be a model for anyone looking for a full-size sedan.

What is it like to drive?

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will surprise and delight folks. While we love the 300C and the 5.7-liter Hemi that makes 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, our choice for overall refinement, fuel economy and not to mention going easier on the wallet is the V6. Even driving in the rolling hills southeast of San Diego near the U.S.-Mexico border, the V6 easily accelerated to triple-digit speeds--going uphill.

Do I want it?

This is the most luxurious, most quiet interior Chrysler has produced. With the Fiat takeover of Chrysler, it was decided the company's flagship had to stand apart, and all involved took the job seriously--everything from the giant 8.4-inch info display in the center stack to the analog clock in the top center of the dash. Rolling along at highway speeds, the cockpit is whisper-quiet, making the 300 interior a pleasant place to be.

Chrysler engineers went to great lengths to make the cabin quiet, installing two composite underbody panels that provide more than eight feet of acoustic insulation. Plus, the car has a dual-pane acoustic windshield and front-door side glass, body-cavity-silencing foam, underflush roll-framed doors with triple seals and acoustic wheel-well liners to absorb road noise.

We sampled both the cloth and leather seats, and both are comfortable and supportive. The dash and door panels are fitted with soft-touch material that looks and feels good. The wood is real, and the twin-bezel instrument cluster sparkles like jewels.

While the exterior styling may not have the same visual impact of the previous car, this new car is a leap forward for Chrysler in terms of luxury and refinement.